Places to visit in Dorset

Bring the family for a day out and step behind the scenes of a Hollywood movie or bestselling novel in stunning Dorset. You can find your own Jurassic Park on beaches sprinkled with fossils and smuggler's caves or trace Thomas Hardy novels on open heaths and vales. The southwest county's dramatic coastline is an outdoor sculpture gallery with arches, stacks and coves carved by Mother Nature herself, a must-see attraction in Dorset. Casual amblers and serious ramblers alike can trek ridgeways between Bronze Age burial mounds and castle ruins. With so many incredible places to visit in Dorset you’ll leave knowing exactly why this county is incredibly popular for vacations and staycations alike.

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VisitEngland Gold Award Winner: Nothe Fort

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Discover a maze of underground passages and military history at 2022’s Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.

VisitEngland Silver Award Winner: The Acorn Inn

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Sip on whisky, or play skittles at 2022’s Pub of the Year runner-up, which also featured in a Thomas Hardy classic.

VisitEngland Award Winner: West Bay Discovery Centre

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Learn about climate change effects on the Jurassic Coast at this year’s bronze-place finalist for the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award.

Top 10 places to visit in Dorset this summer

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Take a Dorset adventure this summer for top-notch seafood, squirrel spotting, cool hotels and Instagrammable villages.

 

Camp at Corfe Castle

Explore this 1,000-year-old fortress above an eponymous Dorset village that's filled with wonky old cottages.

Location: Corfe, Dorset

 

Find romance in the depths of Thomas Hardy Country

Enjoy woodland walks and cosy inns, and immerse yourself in the romantic landscape that this renowned writer called home.

Location: Dorset

 

Visit the world’s best collection of tanks

Heroes big or small can find fun at The Tank Museum.

Location: Wareham, Dorset

 

Explore an island of discovery

Explore Portland’s rugged landscape and breathtaking views and discover its history, heritage and natural assets.

Location: Portland, Dorset

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New Forest

Ambles through woodland lanes pausing at thatch-roofed tearooms and village pubs, canoe trips down bubbling streams and canters across heathland; that's what days in the New Forest are made of.

Isle of Wight

Visit the Isle of Wight for picture perfect sandy beaches, timeless villages, royal castles and a range of fun loving festivals. With so much to do for kids and adults alike, the Isle of Wight is a vibrant place to visit.

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